Grapevine ‘Sheegene-21’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of grapevine characterized by the production of medium, green-colored seedless grapes that mature in early July, approximately four weeks earlier than ‘Thompson Seedless’ (unpatented) when grown in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. The grapes of this new variety are produced on strong woody stems and branches and are well adapted to commercial handling.

Latin name of the genius and species of the plant claimed: The claimedplant relates to a new and distinct variety of Vitis vinifera to beknown as ‘Sheegene-21’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The claimed plant is not subject of a related application.

STATEMENT OF ANY FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The claimed plant is not subject of Federally-sponsored research ordevelopment.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The new variety of Vitis vinifera is the result of hybridization of‘Princess’ (unpatented), the pollen parent, and ‘Red Globe’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 4,787), the seed parent. The new variety was asexuallypropagated by Timothy P. Sheehan in the Spring of 2000 in a Vitisvinifera variety block located near Fowler, Calif. The new variety wasplanted as rooted cuttings in May of 2007 in a field located north andwest of Delano, Calif. The new variety produces a medium, green-coloredseedless grape with very good flavor. The new variety has been shown tomaintain its distinguishing characteristics through asexual propagation.

The new variety is distinguished from its pollen parent, ‘Princess’(unpatented), in that the new variety produces green-colored seedlessgrapes, as compared to the white-colored seedless grapes produced by itspollen parent, ‘Princess’ (unpatented). The new variety is distinguishedfrom its seed parent, ‘Red Globe’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,787), in thatthe new variety produces green-colored seedless grapes, as compared toits seed parent, ‘Red Globe’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,787), that producesred-colored seeded grapes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of grapevinethat produces a medium, green-colored seedless grape that matures duringearly July when grown in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.The new invention resembles ‘Thompson Seedless’ (unpatented).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘Sheegene-21’ grapevine is characterized by producing a medium,green-colored seedless grape that has very good flavor and it isproductive and mature for harvesting and shipment in early July whengrown in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. The new varietycan be compared to ‘Thompson Seedless’ (unpatented) but the grapesproduced by the new variety mature approximately four weeks earlier,among other distinguishing characteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing is a color photograph that displays a clusterof immature grapes and leaves along the top side, a cluster of maturegrapes in the center, four grapes cut in half displaying the color ofthe flesh and the shape of the berries and three clusters of immaturegrapes in the lower center, a branch displaying the nodes along the leftside, a shoot with mature and immature leaves with tendril along theright side, and on the bottom is a tendril with three leaves displayingthe upper and lower leaf surface.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Referring more to the horticultural description of the new and distinctvariety of grapevine, the following has been observed under theecological conditions prevailing at the origin vineyard located nearDelano, Calif., in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. Allmajor color descriptions are by reference to the Dictionary of Color byMaerz & Paul, First Edition, published in 1930. Common colors names arealso used in several instances.

-   Vine:    -   -   Size.—Medium for three-year old vine.        -   Vigor.—Very good.        -   Chilling requirements.—Normal for grapevines in the lower            San Joaquin Valley of Central California.        -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium; 7 inches [17.78 cm] in circumference, 18            inches [45.72 cm] above ground.        -   Surface texture.—Rough, shaggy.        -   Color of bark.—Pl.4 F10 Near Ararby.        -   Mature cane color.—Pl.5 D11 Mexico.        -   Nodes.—Four nodes on each cane, 12 inches [30.48 cm] long.        -   Length between nodes.—3¼ inches [8.26 cm].        -   Lenticel numbers.—None.        -   Shoot length.—1½ to 2¼ inches [3.81 to 5.72 cm].        -   Shoot shape.—Droopy.        -   Tendrils number/location.—Single at node.        -   Tendrils length.—Medium; 2 inches [5.08 cm] on average.        -   Tendrils form.—Bifurcate.        -   Tendrils texture.—Firm.        -   Bud shape.—Convex.        -   Bud size.—0.19 to 0.20 inches [4 to 5 mm] in width, 0.25 to            0.30 inches [6 to 7 mm] in length.        -   Bud fruitfulness.—Very good.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium; 2½ inches [6.35 cm] in circumference.        -   Cordons.—21 inches from trunk (53.34 cm).        -   Surface texture.—Slightly rough.        -   Color (one year or older branches).—Pl.6 F4 Crushed Berry.        -   Color (immature branches).—Pl.18 L8 Evergreen.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium.        -   Density.—Dense.        -   Average length.—3 to 3¼ inches [7.62 to 8.26 cm].        -   Average width.—3 to 5¼ inches [7.62 to 13.34 cm].        -   Form.—Pentagonal.        -   Texture (upper surface).—Smooth.        -   Texture (lower surface).—Slightly rough.        -   Color (upward disposed surface).—Pl.23 J9 Mt. Vernon gr.        -   Color (downward disposed surface).—Pl.21 L7 Med. Dark gr.        -   Leaf vein color.—Pl.17 L7 Viridine Y.        -   Marginal form.—Toothed.        -   Leaf margin.—Slightly undulating.        -   Leaf vein thickness.—0.08 inches [2 mm].        -   Glandular characteristics.—None.        -   Petiole size.—Moderate.        -   Petiole length.—1¾ to 2 inches [4.45 to 5.08 cm].        -   Petiole thickness.—0.12 inches [3 mm].        -   Petiole color.—Pl.6 J8 Domingo.        -   Petiole color (upper surface).—Pl.16 L8 Dark Cardinal.        -   Petiole sinus form.—Upside down ‘U’ shape.        -   Lobe (average).—Four.        -   Tooth size.—0.20 to 0.28 inches [5 to 7 mm] in width; 0.28            to 0.31 inches [7 to 8 mm] in length.        -   Tooth shape.—Convex.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Size.—4.33 to 7.48 inches [11 to 19 cm].        -   Number per spur.—One to two.        -   Number per vine.—Many; up to forty-two.        -   Quantity.—Proficient.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—0.04 to 0.08 inches [1 to 2 mm].        -   Flower buds surface.—Glabrous.        -   Flower buds.—Generally heavy.        -   Date of bloom.—May 6.        -   Date of full bloom.—May 11.        -   Size.—0.20 inches [5 mm].        -   Petals (color).—Pl.7 L8 Mauve Taupe.        -   Petals (size).—Small; 0.18 inches [5 mm].        -   Pistil color.—Pl.7 L8 Neva gr.        -   Date of visible berry set.—May 11.        -   Size of berries.—Small; 0.08 inches [ 2 mm].-   Fruit:    -   -   Solids.—18.0 Brix.        -   Acids.—0.32.        -   Sugar/acid ratio.—0.56.        -   Juice pH.—3.85.        -   Seeds.—None.        -   Capstem pedicel.—0.24 to 0.39 inches [6 to 10 mm].        -   Berry weight.—2.28 grams.        -   Juice color.—Pl.19 B4 Corydalis gr.        -   Cluster size.—Medium.        -   Cluster average length (not including stem).—6.43 inches            [16.33 cm].        -   Cluster average diameter.—4.00 inches [10.26 cm].        -   Cluster average weight.—12.5 oz. [356.25 grams].        -   Compactness.—Compact.        -   Cluster form.—Semi saucer-shaped.        -   Stem length.—2.31 inches [5.87 cm].        -   Stem caliper.—0.19 inches [0.47 cm].        -   Berry size.—Medium.        -   Berry form.—Ovate.        -   Berry numbers (average).—156 berries per bunch.        -   Berry size (average dimension along longitudinal axis).—1.00            inch [2.54 cm].        -   Berry size (average dimension along transverse axis).—0.63            to 0.75 inches [15.8 to 19.1 mm].-   Skin:    -   -   Skin thickness.—Medium.        -   Texture.—Semi-tough.        -   Ground color.—Pl.19 B4; Corydalis gr.        -   Pulp.—Pl.19 B4 Corydalis gr.        -   Lenticels.—None.-   Flesh:    -   -   Flesh color.—Pl.19 B4 Corydalis gr.        -   Juice production.—Moderate.        -   Flavor.—Very good.        -   Aroma.—Very mild.        -   Texture.—Firm.        -   Ripening.—Even.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Use.—Fresh Market.        -   Keeping quality.—Good.        -   Resistance to disease.—Unknown.        -   Harvesting.—Late July in the San Joaquin Valley of Central            California.        -   Shipping and handling qualities.—Very good.

Having thus described and illustrated our new variety of grapevine, Iclaim:
 1. A new variety of grapevine to be known as ‘Sheegene-21’ andparts thereof, substantially as illustrated and described, characterizedprincipally by its production of medium, green-colored seedless grapesthat mature earlier in the season of ripening than does ‘ThompsonSeedless’ (unpatented) that is resembles.